There was a decorated General with a heart of goldThat likened him to all the stories he toldOf past battles won and lost and legends of oldA seasoned veteran in his own timeOn the battlefield he gained respect for fameWith many metals of bravery and stripes to his nameHe grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his faceAnd always urged his men onBut on the eve of great battle with the infantry and dreamThe old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaningHe awoke from that night to tell what he had seenAnd walked slowly out of his tentAll the men held tall with their chests in the airWith the courage in their blood and a fire in their stareAnd it was a gray morning and they all wondered how they would fairTill the old general told them to go home

He said,I have seen the others and I have discovered that this fight is not worth fightingAnd I've have seen their mothers and I will no other to follow me where I'm goingSo, take your shower, shine your shoesYou got no time to loseYou are young men you must be livingTake your shower, shine your shoesWell, you got no time to loseYou are young men you must be livingGo now you are forgiven

But the men stood fast with their guns on their shouldersNot knowing what to do with the contradicting ordersThe general said he would do his own duty But he would extend it no furtherThe men could go as they pleasedBut not a man moved their eyes gazed straight aheadTill one by one they stepped back and not a word was saidAnd the old general was left with his own words echoing in his headHe then prepared to fight

He said,I have seen the others and I have discovered that this fight is not worth fightingAnd I've have seen their mothers and I will no other to follow me where I'm goingSo, take your shower, shine your shoesYou got no time to loseYou are young men you must be livingTake your shower, shine your shoesWell, you got no time to loseYou are young men you must be livingGo now you are forgiven

Go now you are forgiven Go now you are forgivenGo now you are forgivenGo now you are forgiven